MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
LAUNCH OF THE PARLIAMENT IN SINGAPORE HISTORY EXHIBITION AND PARLIAMENTARIANS’ REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY FOR FOUNDING PRIME MINISTER LEE KUAN YEW
Singapore, 23 March 2016 – A Scottish merchant’s residence; a colonial Court House; the Republic’s first Parliament House; Singapore’s 27th National Monument, and, finally, The Arts House – the multi-disciplinary arts centre it is today. Also fondly remembered by many as the Old Parliament House, The Arts House has served multiple roles in its almost 200-year history.
2 Today, it stands as Singapore’s oldest government and public building, and is most recognised for its role as Singapore’s first Parliament House from 1965 to 1999. Within its Chamber was where Singapore’s first Parliament sat, debated, and passed the laws that helped build and define our nation. The rich history of the building, and more, are chronicled and remembered through a new exhibition titled, The Parliament in Singapore History.
3 Launched at The Arts House earlier today by Guest-of-Honour Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Ms Grace Fu, The Parliament in Singapore History exhibition presents a fresh narrative of the historic building, and charts its history from 1827 to 1999, as well as the defining moments and milestones of Singapore’s Parliament. Opened to the public from 24 March 2016, the exhibition is presented by The Arts House, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and National Heritage Board.
The Parliament in Singapore History Exhibition
4 The Parliament in Singapore History features critical historical milestones, presented chronologically. They are: Colonial Court House; The Road to Rendel; Struggle for Self-Rule; Self-Rule to Merger; “A Moment of Anguish”; Parliament in Progress; and Milestones of Parliament. The exhibition captures the spirit of our early nation-building days, and the values and principles for which our Parliament stand for, such as meritocracy, justice, multi-racialism, and integrity. These values are entrenched in the memorable speeches delivered in Parliament by our pioneer leaders such as Singapore's founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Dr Toh Chin Chye, Dr Goh Keng Swee and Mr S Rajaratnam. Accompanying these quotes in the exhibition are rare archival images that help illustrate the spirit and values of our Parliament through the years.
5 The exhibition also highlights the development of a legislature that has contributed to Singapore’s growth and progress as a multi-cultural parliamentary democracy. For instance, one of the Parliament’s first acts was to form a constitutional commission, whose proposals led to the establishment of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights, which scrutinises new legislation for clauses that may discriminate against any minority.
6 Ms Lee Chor Lin, Chief Executive Officer of Arts House Limited said: “This exhibition presents in great succinct detail the long history of the Old Parliament House, which has since 2004 become a multipurpose space dedicated to the arts. Itself a reflection of Singapore history, this building has weathered the tide of time, and grown together with Singaporeans. I hope the exhibition will help visitors to remember the spirit and tenacity of our generation of pioneer leaders, and better understand the key role of our Parliament. The oldest public building in Singapore, the building of The Arts House was where critical historical events took place, and where the House played an important role in the growth of our nation.”
7 Visitors to the exhibition will also be able to view a special documentary clip featuring excerpts of founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s memorable speeches delivered in Parliament, in the Chamber of The Arts House from 24 March to 31 March 2016. Guided tours of the exhibition will be available from 24 March to 29 May 2016.
Parliamentarians’ Remembrance Ceremony for Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew
8 Following the launch of The Parliament in Singapore History exhibition was the Parliamentarians’ Remembrance Ceremony for our Founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. When he passed away on 23 March 2015, Singaporeans came together, as one nation, to pay tribute to the man and his legacy. Many recalled how Mr Lee and team rallied Singaporeans through tumultuous times to build our modern nation, as well as reflected on their beliefs, which still hold true today.
9 Today, on the first anniversary of Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s passing, Members of Parliament, both past and present, came together in the Chamber of The Arts House, to remember the values that Mr Lee and his generation stood for, and the principles they steadfastly upheld in this House. These are the values that continue to bind us as one people, as we move into the Singapore of tomorrow.
10 Speaking at the Ceremony, Minister Grace Fu said: “Mr Lee [Kuan Yew] and his team left subsequent generations of leaders a rich legacy – that of strong institutions and systems based on multi-racialism, self-reliance, meritocracy, integrity and rule of law – values and principles that remain precious and important to us in this present day.” She added that “As we honour Mr Lee’s memory today … let us emulate his spirit, and build on this inheritance to bring Singapore to greater heights.”
11 Former Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament, Mr Wong Kan Seng, and former Minister, Speaker and Member of Parliament, Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, the two guest speakers, also recounted their experiences in Parliament, and shared their memories of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew through their speeches.
12 Said Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: “My own description of Mr Lee was that he was always “Proper”. This single description, for me, somehow encapsulates everything the man was. His sense of integrity and of right and wrong, his discipline and standards, his vision. Everything must be done right: nothing was too small or too unimportant.”
13 Mr Wong Kan Seng shared: “A 35 year old Mr Lee Kuan Yew once said, “This will be an era which will light up the dark pages of the history of Singapore”. The page was turned during Mr Lee’s leadership. His legacy lives on in Singapore, in the values, principles and high standards that moved Singapore from third world to first. Successive generations of Singaporeans will do well to remember how we got here. I fervently hope that Singaporeans are committed to same purpose as Mr Lee had dedicated his life towards – and that is fighting for a better future for us all.”
14 The Ceremony also featured a video installation by Singapore filmmaker Royston Tan, titled A Moment of Unity, also shown at the National Museum of Singapore.
15 For more details, please refer to the following Annexes:
Annex A Speech by Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth
Annex B Information about The Parliament in Singapore History exhibition and guided tours
Annex C Information about video of founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s memorable speeches delivered in Parliament
Annex D Information about A Moment of Unity video installation and We Built A Nation special exhibition at the National Museum of Singapore
<<Please refer to the attached PDF for the full media release, and Annexes>>